What's in my gym bag

Well with me being under the weather and all lately I haven't really been fashion inspired for a blog post, being that I have been in sweats and curled up under a blanket for days.  The first thing that came to my stuffy little mind was the gym!

So I decided to share my ideal gym bag with you. I find myself getting to the gym at all hours of the morning and half asleep, wishing I had this or wishing I brought that. My thoughts are that by doing this post it will allow me to get organized a bit and throw everything I need into my bag the night before so in the morning I can just run out the door. 

we shall see!

First things, first is a bag. I just use a Land's End canvas tote. It is big enough to hold everything I need but small enough to fit in a locker. It's more of a beach tote, but hey it works!

A water bottle is probably the most important. Nothing like getting the gym and realize you don't have one. CamelBak's ^® are great because they are 100% BPA-Free! Here is what the website says about it:

CamelBak^® Got Your Bak™ Lifetime Guarantee

Flip, Bite-N-Sip: Our bottle Bite Valve's proven design contains no moving parts. Simply bite and sip- no tilting required.

Simple to Carry: The integrated handle makes it easy to clip a carabiner or carry with the crook of a finger.

Dishwasher Safe: Disassemble the parts and your bottle is safe to clean in the top rack of your dishwasher.

Spill-Proof: Our bottle won't spill even if it is left in the open position.

My iPod is probably the one thing I HAVE to have. I cannot do cardio/workout without it. Making sure it is charged and having a current favorite playlist is key. 

Packing a washcloth and a hand towel is important. I don't know about you but using a washcloth  the gym provides grosses me out. Not knowing how much soap the gym used or thinking the person that used it before me was a guy in the gym who profusely sweated and  then I use it right after grosses me out.  Plus they spray those chemicals on it, swipe down the machine then throw it in the pile to get "washed". Ew.

So I bring my own, as well as a hand towel because I go to the Y and all they have in the locker room is paper towels and when I wash my face I want more than paper to dry it off. (I have used the blow dryer when I forgot a hand towel and that same day they were out of paper towels).

This brings me to washing my face. Since I go to the gym early in the mornings, I take everything I need to get ready for the day with me. I like to wash my face with St. Ive's Apricot Scrub after I am done working out just because I feel it gets the sweat and nasty stuff out of my pores before I apply my makeup. I swear by this product and will use nothing else!

If I am on the run and don't have to do wash my face properly with facial cleanser and water,  I just use a 2-in-1 Daily Facial Cloths from Olay.

 Here is what Olay says about these cloths:

These two-sided cloths exfoliate and clean deep down to the pores.

• Smooth side gently removes dirt, oil and make-up—even mascara

• Textured side with micro-beads cleans skin deeply and exfoliates

• Soap-free formula tones skin and contains pro-vitamin B5 and witch hazel

 

 

 Keeping essentials such as a brush, deodorant, extra hair ties, bobby pins and head bands are important.  Luckily since I go in the morning, I leave with my hair up in a pony and head band so I don't have to worry. It's those rare occasions when I go after work I realize I don't have anything I need.

 

Every morning as I run through the kitchen I grab something to eat for a snack after the gym.

It varies from a whole wheat waffle with peanut butter (my favorite), grapes, dry cereal, or yogurt with granola. 

Well I hope this helps me become more organized and helps you too if you are like me!

Xoxo-M